“He tried to bypass the outbound commercial lane.”

My mother let out a small, sharp gasp.

The General turned his head slowly toward the officer.

“Did he clear the barrier?” the General asked.

“No, sir,” the lieutenant replied.

“The guards deployed the spikes.”

“Colonel Carter refused to exit the vehicle at first.”

“They have him detained in the holding area now.”

“He was trying to transport three boxes of files from the administration building.”

The room fell completely silent.

I could hear the hum of the air conditioner in the ceiling.

It was a damp, heavy heat outside, and the office smelled of old floor wax and wet wool.

My father turned his gaze toward Claire.

His hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides.

Claire looked down at her lap, her fingers twisting the strap of her leather handbag.

“Were the files secure?” I asked.

The lieutenant looked at me, then at the General, waiting for permission to speak.

The General nodded once.

“They appear to be the housing ledger sheets from the last fiscal year, Colonel Parker,” the lieutenant said to me.